Obama's September So Far: Rallies, Service and the Stanley Cup

"We are closer to reform than we have ever been. But this is the hard part. This is when the special interests and the insurance companies and the folks who want to kill reform fight back with everything they've got. This is when they spread all kinds of rumors to scare and intimidate the American people. This is what they always do." President Obama at a rally for health care reform on Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

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"The only thing this plan would eliminate is the hundreds of billions of dollars in waste and fraud, as well as unwarranted subsidies in Medicare that go to insurance companies - subsidies that do everything to pad their profits and nothing to improve your care. And we will also create an independent commission of doctors and medical experts charged with identifying more waste in the years ahead." Read the whole speech here.

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"That's how change happens. And that's what has to happen right now. If you want a health care system where insurance companies can't drop your coverage or deny you care, I need you to knock on a few doors and talk to your neighbors. If you want to make sure that you can keep your health care if you lose your job or change your job, I need you to make a few phone calls. If you believe, as our friend Ted Kennedy always said, that health care is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for every American, then I need you to make your voice heard in Washington."

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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama toured a house being built by Habitat for Humanity and then started painting one of the rooms to help out during the National Day of Service in Washington, D.C., September 11, 2009.

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President Obama doesn't need a ladder.

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First Lady Michelle Obama is joined by Julie Bindelglass, a junior at George Washington University, and Shakir Cannon-Moye, a senior, to kick off the First Lady's challenge to GW students to serve.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

The George Washington Community has committed to perform 100,000 hours of community service to secure Mrs. Obama's attendance as their commencement speaker in Spring 2010.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

The President with GW student volunteers.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

Wrapping up the job.

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President Obama, ever the perfectionist.

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Neighborhood youths come out to see the President and First Lady near the house being built by Habitat for Humanity.

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The President and First Lady meet with the Crown Prince and Princess of the Netherlands in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House on September 11, 2009.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

Princess Maxima and Prince Willem-Alexander were visiting the US to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of New York City.

Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

The 44th President receives a jersey from the Pittsburgh Penguins during a ceremony honoring the team's 2009 Stanley Cup championship at the White House on September 10, 2009.

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Penguins Stanley Cup MVP Evgeny Malkin takes a cell phone picture as President Obama congratulates him while hosting the champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the East Room.

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President Obama holds the Stanley Cup with team captain Sidney Crosby. At right is team owner Mario Lemieux.

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It's a big one. The Stanley Cup is made of silver and nickel alloy and weighs 34.5 pounds.

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President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden pose with the full Cabinet for an official group photo in the East Room of the White House on Sept. 10, 2009.